mhurst Posted 13 May , 2013 Share Posted 13 May , 2013 I have come across references to officers taking leave after the fighting died down at Ypres in November 1914, but what about other ranks - when was the first opportunity for them to get home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dycer Posted 13 May , 2013 Share Posted 13 May , 2013 Melvin, From a T.F. War Diary,Battalion arrived in France November 1914. 23 May 1915-A limited amount of leave was granted during the next fortnight to Officers,N.C.O's and men of the Battalion, 1st to 20th December 1915-The rate of leave to all ranks continued to be most satisfactory,2 Officers and 32 Other Ranks leaving each week.Leave for those going to Scotland was also extended to nine days. 24th January 1916-Leave was slightly reduced during this month,but remained satisfactory-2 Officers,and 25 Other Ranks leaving each Sunday.Before the New Year all N.C.O's and men who had been in this country since 1st January 1915 had been granted leave. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 13 May , 2013 Share Posted 13 May , 2013 This IWW photo is said to show a soldier home on leave (in Epsom) Christmas 1914 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 13 May , 2013 Share Posted 13 May , 2013 The The Burnley News mentions Sergeant Samuel Beckett who was called up as a reservist at the outbreak of the war, and took part in the retreat from Mons. "In December, 1914, he was home on leave, and later returned to the front." North West Kent Family History Society has a Christmas Card sent 22 December 1914 to Mrs. W Turner from her son Harry to say that he is coming home on leave. According to The Cambrian News William Henry Edwards who died of his wounds on May 19, 1915 was home on leave in December 1914 and went with his sister to the Christmas Eisteddfod in Bethel. By Jan 1915 The history of the Warwickshire Battery RHA (TF) for the South Midland Yeomanry Brigade records that "Mid-January 1915 saw the battery back in action in old infantry trench systems at La Couture. The Battery was in action all month and fired a total of 409 rounds. Throughout this time re-supply of stores, food, water and ammunition had to be made by the Ammunition Column (usually at night) whose role is easy to overlook. Resupply of ammunition came from divisional dumps and it was the Column’s job to go and fetch it, wherever the dumps may be. Theirs was an arduous and dangerous business. Once the Battery’s work had been done, it was withdrawn for rest. Rain, cold and snow made the rest period uncomfortable with men and horses vying for shelter wherever it could be found. Routine was kept up with exercising and inspections of horses and equipment. Football matches were arranged with other units in the rear areas. Church services were assiduously attended and as many men as possible were sent home on leave So I think we can safely assume that by December 1914 some men were getting home leave and by Jan 1915 more were doing so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhurst Posted 15 May , 2013 Author Share Posted 15 May , 2013 Many thanks for these. It's good to know that it wasn't only the officers who were able to get away - even for a few days. Melvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill24chev Posted 15 May , 2013 Share Posted 15 May , 2013 Home leave was good news for the men and their families but may have then produced the sad outcome of many children being conceived on home leave who never knew their fathers, the men having not survived the war. This would have caused problems for may widows but would have been a complete disaster for the I presume, young women who were not married. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dycer Posted 15 May , 2013 Share Posted 15 May , 2013 Bill, Indeed and I'm a living example although my Grandfather survived the War. My Mother,born 1916,was mortified when she checked her Birth Certificate and Parent's Marriage Certificate and realized she had been conceived in advance! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 15 May , 2013 Share Posted 15 May , 2013 A number of marriage dates appear to coincide with the first leave. One can only assume that the realisation that the war wasn't going to be over soon (and they could be dead by then) prompted some reappraisals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Underdown Posted 15 May , 2013 Share Posted 15 May , 2013 I've seen some reports of leave around Christmas 1914, but these seem to be men in training or home postings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 15 May , 2013 Share Posted 15 May , 2013 I've seen some reports of leave around Christmas 1914, but these seem to be men in training or home postings See Sergeant Samuel Beckett in post 4 - veteran of Mons home on leave in Dec 1914 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 15 May , 2013 Share Posted 15 May , 2013 See Sergeant Samuel Beckett in post 4 - veteran of Mons home on leave in Dec 1914 In fairness, though, Samuel Beckett had been wounded in action on 14th November 1914 and was actually on convalescence leave (minus a finger) after leaving hospital in Lincoln in December 1914! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 15 May , 2013 Share Posted 15 May , 2013 According to Lt Col Davies's diary leave from France for NCOs opened on 23rd November 1914 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhurst Posted 23 May , 2013 Author Share Posted 23 May , 2013 The following appeared in the 'Ox. & Bucks. Chronicle', written by Lieutenant-Colonel Davies. The date of publication is unknown, but the period referred to was probably November 1914, as noted by Centurion. "Today came the astonishing news that leave to England is to be granted to officers. One can hardly believe it. No one had ever dreamed of such a thing during the war. It scarcely seemed right that the officers should go on leave and not the NCOs and men; but shortly afterwards further orders extended the grant of leave to NCOs and men." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punjab612 Posted 23 May , 2013 Share Posted 23 May , 2013 My grandfather, Sgt George Thorneycroft of 1st Bn North'land Fus was definately home for Christmas 1914. He'd landed in France on 13th August and had been through the retreat from Mons, the Marne, the Aisne, 1st Ypres. He got married on Chistmas Day 1914 in Westbuty, Wiltshire. He was back in the trenches 'after a few days'. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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